US to suspend immigrant visa processing for 75 nations
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US President Donald Trump vowed to “permanently pause” migration from all “Third World Countries”, following a shooting by an Afghan national.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump’s administration is suspending processing for immigrant visas for applicants from 75 countries, a State Department spokesperson said on Jan 14, as part of Washington’s intensifying immigration crackdown.
The pause, which will impact applicants from countries including Somalia, Iran, Russia, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Yemen, Thailand and Brazil, will begin on Jan 21, the spokesperson said.
It does not affect visitor visas.
The memo outlining the suspension, which was first reported by Fox News, directs US embassies to refuse visas under existing law while the department reassesses its procedures.
“The State Department will pause immigrant visa processing from 75 countries whose migrants take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates,” the department said in a post on X.
“The freeze will remain active until the US can ensure that new immigrants will not extract wealth from the American people.”
Mr Trump has pursued a sweeping immigration crackdown since returning to office in January.
His administration has aggressively prioritised immigration enforcement, sending federal agents to major US cities and sparking violent confrontations with both migrants and US citizens.
The State Department has revoked more than 100,000 visas since Mr Trump took office, it said on Jan 12. The administration has also adopted a stricter policy on granting visas, with tightened social media vetting and expanded screening.
In November, Mr Trump had vowed to “permanently pause” migration
